5 Comments on “Hungry while birthing? Go ahead and eat!”

I had just arrived to the hospital from the birth center for my second birth and I was close to being done. My mouth was dry and I wanted water. My doula jumped to get me some, and the MIDWIFE said no, ice chips only. I said, “Oh for pete’s sake!” and had ice chips because I couldn’t fight it at that point, I was too far in labor to do anything but be in labor. But really. Ice melts into water. What in the world?!?!

Drives me crazy. Next time, I’ll tell my doula that if I ask for anything to eat or drink, to give it to me anyway and I will tell the nurse/doc/midwife I refuse to comply.

I was actually “allowed” to eat but not drink! But that was due to them limiting my fluid intake, they said they had to due to I think the mag sulfate I was on for my pre-e? But they actually brought me a meal shortly before I pushed my son out. I didn’t eat much of it and I threw up what little bit I did eat when I hit transition shortly after eating. Alas.
This was in Australia, btw. 🙂

I had such a pleasant surprise when I went into the hospital for my last doula client. She was actually eating a good meal that they brought to her, and they gave her peppermint tea later on for her nausea.

This is one of my pet peeves also as there is absolutely no research behind it. The funny thing is, doctors know it, so the excuse I would get the most often for not allowing women to eat or drink was so that they wouldn’t get nauseous and throw it up….I really think that should be the woman’s choice..no?

In any case, I always tell women to bring something to eat…then they can decide for themselves…and I have no qualms about it either:)